Dancing Queen: 40 Years On

Dancing Queen is a song whose power is hard to resist. It’s the record [Pete] Waterman calls his “get-out-of-jail card … Whenever I lost the floor as a DJ, I just stuck Dancing Queen on.” It’s a track even the Queen is supposedly fond of boogying to (Chris Evans claimed that she told him: “I always try to dance when this song comes on because I am the Queen and I like to dance”).

If you’re left in any doubt over Dancing Queen’s charms, then just consider the 1996 Sex Pistols reunion show in Finsbury park, north London. To remind the audience just how stale the music scene had grown before Johnny Rotten et al came along, the PA blasted out the likes of the Bay City Rollers and other cheesy 70s pop staples. Unfortunately, that playlist also included Abba’s Dancing Queen – when it came on, the old punks gathered together failed to sneer: instead they began singing in unison. As Craymer says: “That’s what people do with Dancing Queen – they just surrender.”

Tim Jonze, The Guardian.

It's ABBA, not Abba, Tim - ABBA.

Jeremy Corbyn: Party Time

And he made a joke about the four candidates reforming as an ABBA tribute group in his acceptance speech, what a guy!

Jeremy Corbyn Vs The Media: What Can He Expect Next? The Drum.

If Jeremy Corbyn Wins, Prepare For A Firestorm, Owen Jones, New Statesman, August.

PS Corbyn's first day and the press reponse is, predictably, hostile, Roy Greenslade, Media Guardian.

And Media Lens on The Guardian's 'neutral' coverage. Oops!

Update: Oh fuck, he's chosen warmonger Hilary Benn as foreign secretary! Scales fall off eyes...

Tweet Of The Day: Gang Of Four

Brilliant news about Abba getting back together. pic.twitter.com/vw9cLonVLt

— Danny Kelly (@dannykellywords) August 17, 2015

Elton John: The Musical

TELLING the story of SIR ELTON JOHN’s life in a stage show was never going to be a small project.

But I’ve discovered his incredible back catalogue — from Your Song to I’m Still Standing — will finally be making it to Broadway and the West End.

That’s because his highly anticipated biopic Rocketman, with TOM HARDY as Elton — real name Reginald Kenneth Dwight — is already being developed into a musical.

It’s being worked on by the creative team behind the smash hit musical adaptation of Billy Elliot, including its writer LEE HALL.

In an exclusive interview, highly-regarded producer SALLY GREENE, who runs London’s Old Vic, revealed: “It is in the works right now.

“It will be called Rocketman but we will do the film first. It will open in Broadway before London.

“It will be Elton’s back catalogue... he will never end his career.”...

The Sun.

How Fat Reg from Pinner became QUEEN OF THE WORLD!!!

Suggested title, a Lionel Bart-esque Elton!

Hope it is his lifestory (Greene doesn't say that directly here), it's been suitably dramatic, and some of his best songs were Bernie Taupin writing about him; Someone Saved My Life Tonight, The Bitch Is Back, I'm Still Standing, Made In England, and just think of the costume changes.

Please don't let his back catalogue be shoo-horned into a silly and completely incongruous story like We Will Rock You and Mamma Mia!

Eurovision: 'Too Gay' For Top Tory Twot Shock

Is Eurovision too gay? Mouths dropped and pearls were clutched on Friday at Bafta headquarters in Piccadilly, which hosted a day-long conference on the impact of the contest attended by academics, aficionados and past performers — including last year’s winner Conchita Wurst.

On the agenda were such weighty matters as “how the Eurovision Song Contest has been used as a platform of expression for diverse communities, to create national and European identities and as a tool for nation branding”.

But the man who raised eyebrows in a genteel kerfuffle was Fraser Nelson, editor of The Spectator, and a surprising Eurovision devotee. In the UK at least, opined the Scot, the contest had been “reduced to the level of a musical gay pride march. I prefer it in Sweden, where it’s seen more as a family show, an entertainment extravaganza,” he said. Cue mild harrumphing in the hall and one fan suggesting that the term “too gay” smacked of homophobia.

Sensing a miffed audience, Nelson reframed his opinion, saying the camp aspect showed “values of tolerance — and it exports those values in a vivid way to places where they are still to be accepted”...

Spectator's editor is camping it up, Londoner's Diary, Evening Standard.

Here's Fraser paying fulsome tribute to ABBA, and saying something baffling about our attitude to Eurovision and the European Union. 

I've often wondered if the unfeasibly right-wing Mr Nelson was a screaming wotnot, think I've now reached my conclusion.

Update: Fraser says it wasn't him who said it! That was a panel moderator's precis of the 'reduced to the level of a gay pride march. I prefer it in Sweden, where it's seen more as a family show...', presumably. Which seems a reasonable interpretation. 

Frida: I *HEART* The 70s

“My motto is to live in peace and respect all the different religions, people’s sexualities and ethnic origins.

"I cannot tolerate people who harm others in the name of religion and I salute all those who stand up for free speech and differences of opinion.”

Frida, quoted in the Daily Express.

Not quite sure why they've put her on the front page today, her 70th birthday's not til November.

Might have lost some of its poetry in the translation.

Still, a beautiful thought - and one that Fagburn is sure is shared by everyone at the Express, Richard Desmond and his new BFF, Nigel Farage.

It's Christmas: Hint!

Money, money, money... etc etc.

PS Or? Well...

ABBA: The Name Of The Game

I've seen you twice in a short time

Only a week since we started
It seems to me for every time
I'm getting more open hearted

I was an impossible case
No one ever could reach me
But I think I can see in your face
There's a lot you can teach me

So I wanna know what's the name of the game?
Does it mean anything to you?
What's the name of the game?
Can you feel it the way I do?
Tell me please 'cause I have to know
I'm a bashful child beginning to grow

And you make me talk and you make me feel
And you make me show what I'm trying to conceal
If I trust in you, would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too
I wanna know the name of the game

I have no friends, no one to see
And I am never invited
Now I am here talking to you
No wonder I get excited

Your smile and the sound of your voice
And the way you see through me
Got a feeling, you give me no choice
But it means a lot to me

So I wanna know what's the name of the game?
(Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Does it mean anything to you?
(Got a feeling you give me no choice)
But it means a lot, what's the name of the game?
(Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do?
Tell me please 'cause I have to know
I'm a bashful child, beginning to grow

And you make me talk and you make me feel
And you make me show what I'm trying to conceal
If I trust in you would you let me down?
Would you laugh at me if I said I care for you?
Could you feel the same way too?
I wanna know, oh yes I wanna know

The name of the game
(I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you?
(But I think I can see in your face that it means a lot)
What's the name of the game?
(Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do?
(Got a feeling you give me no choice)

But it means a lot, what's the name of the game?
(I was an impossible case)
Does it mean anything to you?
(But I think I can see in your face that it means a lot)
What's the name of the game?
(Your smile and the sound of your voice)
Can you feel it the way I do?

ABBA: That 40th International Anniversary Party In Full

What you missed!

We are in a very big room.

It is at (the) Tate Modern.

So ABBA is now your actual art.

It has some nice big photos of ABBA in.

Some queens are muttering; 'Do you think we can nick these on the way out?'

(There's not much else in here though).

This is 800 middle-aged pooves in (the) Tate Modern's Turbine Hall, basically.

Who knew this is what ABBA's hardcore fans look like!!?

Most, like me, so socially inept we couldn't even look at our own shoes without blushing.

You may eat some huge Swedish hot dog things (Vegetarian option available).

(Watching people trying to eat a huge Swedish hot dog thing is top Carry On comedy, the peak of this evening's promised 'entertainment', TBH).

But first!

The worst wedding disco DJ ever comes on and literally shits all over your golden ABBA memories.

A man from the Stockholm Chamber Of Commerce (!) or somewhere comes on and welcomes us - I wasn't really listening.

There follows a very interesting and informative presentation about business opportunities in Sweden.

[More queeny grumbly mumbling; 'Is this fucking it?']

Cut to epilepsy-inducing video of in-no-way made-up ABBA facts. eg ABBA have sold 12 billion records in Finland alone. Dancing Queen was number one in North Korea for four months etc etc etc.

[Go to the gents - it's full of gays and, quite frankly, reminds one of the worst excesses of the French Revolution].

Back.

Fagburn - Friend of the stars!

Bjorn and Frida wander onstage, they say some words of thanks, humbly.

Quite touching, akchewerelee.

Yay.

Bjorn says; 'This is the first time we have been onstage together for 32 years.'

(I don't like to be pedantic, but as a self-confessed ABBAholic, I was there last time you two were; Prince Edward Theatre, April 2004, mister).

Bjorn says; 'You may have noticed there are some mics at the front of the stage. Well, we have a surprise for you...'

[Please don't bring on a children's choir to sing 'Thank You For The Music'. Please don't bring on a children's choir to sing 'Thank You For The Music'...]

Some gays and lezzas choir came on and sing an ABBA medley.

*sigh*

So blissed out after Bjorn, and all I had was three glasses of (Swedish) wine, even this ended up quite moving.

Even though maybe a certain Swedish bird who was in the building could have at least sung a few lines!

They end by singing Dancing Queen like four times in a row or something.

Fin.

Whatever, I felt so blessed to spend an hour in the same room with Pop's uncrowned King Of Sad.

And Frida.

Couldn't be un/happier right now.

x

PS My 'friend' Peter left without saying goodbye!
But that was a bit ABBA-esque, really, and I'll forgive him anything. x

Update: He claims he went to try and get some free booze and couldn't find me. Yeah right!

Joiner's Arms: Mural

Thanks to the mighty David Shenton. x

Here is a detail from the work in progress.

This is on Fagburn's must-see list next time he goes to that London (Monday April 7th, for the ABBA thing at Tate Modern).

Update: And David's done this for London Lesbian And Gay Switchboard...

The man's a genius!

The Independent: FFS!

I now - officially - give up.

Dear The Independent,

Can you just not?

Ever?

Again?

Can you please stop getting silly posh interns to write rubbish about The Gays, of which they clearly know bum-all about?

You are as embarrassing as a three-legged kitten trying to play hop-scotch while playing Mama Mia on the kazoo.

GOOD DAY!

Caitlin Moran: It's Patronising Clichés O'Clock!

Caitlan Moran in The Times.
Did you know she really, really loves The Gays?
Well, they're such fun, aren't they?
Amazing! etc etc.

PS Moran is actually outdone in the "Excuse me while I barf" stakes by this, also in today's Times.

Yvette Cooper, the rather serious Shadow Home Secretary, indeed some would say the Hermione Granger of politics, was in unusually high spirits [Code for drunk?] last week over gay marriage. She noted that, in New Zealand, MPs celebrated their gay marriage legislation in “fabulous” style by singing a Maori love song [They didn't, it was people in the public gallery, btw]. “We can only wonder what would happen if the Minister and I leapt up and started leading a Eurovision-style chorus of Congratulations or perhaps Abba-style — probably not One Man, One Woman but certainly, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do." 

HURL!

Petula Clark: Not ABBA

Please ignore the silly hype about Agnetha's new album and listen to Petula Clark's Lost In You, which is what a post-ABBA album should sound like. 
Thank you.

Queen's Speech: Another One (GEDDIT!!?)

The Prime Minister and I were born within 48 hours of each other. For the avoidance of doubt, he is the older of the two, but I can see from this vantage point that genetics have been kinder to him than they have to me, particularly in the tonsorial department, both in colour and cover. While our family and school circumstances were quite different, we must have had similar cultural reference points and experiences during the 1970s and ’80s. I believe that he was a fan of The Smiths—though I understand that the feeling is not entirely mutual—while I preferred Duran Duran and ABBA, with my favourite song being “Dancing Queen”, which will not come as much of a surprise to many of my colleagues.

That leads me, almost neatly, into one of the great social reforms of this Parliament, and that is of course gay marriage. The right of same-sex couples to demonstrate their love and commitment to each other before their family and friends will be a lasting social reform of this Parliament. The legislation is brought forward by this coalition Government but supported by Members from all parties around the House. Bristol West has three Quaker meeting houses, a Unitarian chapel and a reform synagogue, so the country’s first same-sex marriage may well be in my own constituency—but, personally, I am still waiting for my own Prince Charming so that I may be able to take advantage of this new legal right.

Stephen Williams (Bristol West) (LD), quoted in Hansard 8 May 2013 : Column 9, "seconding the motion" okaying the otherwise rollickingly right-wing, reactionary and racist Queen's Speech.
With his rugged good looks, plus the fact he's one of those much admired Lib Dem coalition MPs, this dude's quite a catch, so best form an orderly queue, boys!

Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab) promptly tweeted...

 
PS Fagburn is quite impressed Hansard records ABBA correctly, in caps.

ABBA: Thank You For The Demo Medley

Fagburn has to confess to being rather pleased that 'Abba to release first new song in almost 20 years' was considered newsworthy by several papers today.
One slight reservation, though - I don't think it's true.
The announcement on ABBA's official website does not call 'From A Twinkling Star To A Passing Angel' a new song - it says it's a "demo medley".
Presumably incorporating the various demo versions of Like An Angel Passing Through My Room, which in one early version was called Twinkle Twinkle.
Hence the name, presumably.
If you want a new-ish "ABBA song", here's one - and it's totes amazeballs.
Benny & Björn's Story Of A Heart.
Avnjuta!

PS And since you're wondering, yes, I think this is incredibly important.

PPS By a spooky coincidence Christopher Green's wondrous Radio 4 play about growing up a gayboy ABBA fan, Like An Angel Passing Through My Room, is now available on iTunes.

PPS Although this may seem one of my more trivial posts, I think it's instructive about much that's wrong with the media. All they were doing was copying from a press release - and yet they all turned it into something that it doesn't say. Amazing!

Fagburn: Happy Billy New Year!

Weekending

I had the greatest time
when you came down to Brighton
just last weekend.

Though it feels like
ABBA's Our Last Summer
all spent in 48 hours.

Transphobia: Funny Girls

This week Trans Media Watch launched their Memorandum of Understanding.
They hope other media organisations will follow Channel 4's lead and sign up to improve their coverage of transgender people and issues.
Fagburn really hopes the tabloids take notice; for them if someone is trans they're only ever frightening or funny, often both.
Coverage is almost always gratuitous, offensive, disrespectful, ill-informed and cruel - and someone being transsexual is a story in itself (By way of example here's a story from The Sun that ticks every box).
Coincidentally, this week Comic Relief launched its official single for 2011, a cover of I Know Him So Well by Susan Boyle and the Peter Kay character Geraldine (formerly Gerry) McQueen.
Of course, there's nothing intrinsically wrong with having a transsexual comedy character.
But how often does TV Land allow trans people to be anything else but mere figures of fun, to provide some comic relief?

ABBA: No, Thank You!

"Now, I have to say something while I am standing here - looking like this.
"In the 80s ABBA were distinctly 'uncool', totally out of fashion.
"And I thought 'Well, that's it! It was fun while it lasted, but now it's over.'
"But for some strange reason we still remained popular on the gay scene.
"And - maybe it sounds like I'm sucking up, but I don't care - when we got a revival in the late 80s, early 90s, I'm sure it's because we had stayed popular on the gay scene - that was the most important factor.
"I will never get a better opportunity to show my gratitude - our gratitude; mine, Benny's, Frida's and Agnetha's.
"Thank you, you kind people."

The wondrous Björn Ulvaeus at last night's QX Gay Gala 2011 Awards in Stockholm, Sweden.
Translation Fagburn's own - tack så mycket.
Björn was presenting the main award - Årets Homo [Best Homo/Gay Person Of The Year] - to photographer Elisabeth Ohlson-Wallin. She did those photos with Jesus in the nip.
Anni-Frid Lyngstad appears in today's BBC Radio 4 Afternoon Play, Like An Angel Passing Through My Room, alongside its author, Christopher Green (AKA Tina C), about growing up as a gay boy obsessed with ABBA... [Edit: Listening now, it's lovely].
And finally, I think I invented this: Man walks into a bar. He says; "I'm sorry Björn, Benny, Agnetha & Anni-Frid, I didn't see you there..."